§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question has at any time been considered, or is now contemplated, of transferring the Central International Office for the control of the liquor traffic in Africa from Brussels to Geneva under the control of the League of Nations; what contributions are made by other signatories to the Convention of St. Germainen-Laye; and to what extent these contributions are in arrears?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe question of establishing at Geneva the International Office for the control of the liquor traffic in Africa was considered in 1921 and 1922. The Council of the League of Nations decided, in view of the past valuable experience of the office, to ask the Belgian Government to continue in Brussels the work begun by the International Office, established in accordance with the General Act of the Brussels Conference in 1892, and to take charge of the duties relating to the control of the liquor traffic in Africa. The last contribution paid by His Majesty's Government was in respect of the year 1928. The contribution for 1929 will be paid as soon as the bureau notifies His Majesty's Government of the amount due. The expenses of the bureau are borne in equal shares by the States which have ratified the Convention of 1919, relating to the liquor traffic in 1005W Africa. Those States, so far as I am aware, pay their contributions in due course.